Police probe social media reports on election rigging

January 21, 2017 12:33 pm

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National Police Service spokesperson George Kinoti has warned a certain “media personality” behind the reports, saying that he is likely to face legal action if it is established that he has breached the law/FILE

By JOSEPH MURAYA, NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 21- Detectives have launched investigations into reports circulating on social media about an alleged plot to rig the forthcoming General Election using a reputable international firm.

They are claims that police term as ‘grave’ since they, “have the potential of creating unnecessary panic besides causing provocation and incitement.”

In a statement, National Police Service spokesperson George Kinoti has warned a certain “media personality” behind the reports, saying that he is likely to face legal action if it is established that he has breached the law.

“We wish to inform that investigations into the social media post are underway , and should it emerge that any law has been breached, the necessary legal action will be taken and those involved will take action,” he said.

The statement doesn’t however mention any name but cautions Kenyans more so those seeking elective positions against making inflammatory statements.

“Such persons are cautioned to be alive to the potential serious legal consequences of their actions,” he cautioned.

The country normally experience increased cases of hate speech more so on social media during every electioneering period.

The Government has however put in place measures to curb the menace that can incite people to violence, with 2007-2008 post election violence memories still too fresh, where more than 1,000 people were killed and about 600,000 others internally displaced.